What could be more exciting than back-to-school for many of our students (and parents – let’s be honest!)? This excitement often means that students are in a rush and may not be paying as much attention to their surroundings as normal, which means that as road-users, it is the drivers’ responsibility to make sure our students are safe while getting to school.
Prince George RCMP has some quick safety tips for drivers, parents and students for this time of year:
Drivers:
- School zone speed limits are now back in effect. This means a 30km/h speed limit in all marked school zones, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on all regular school days.
- Do not park inside or over a designated crosswalk.
- Do not pass a stopped vehicle that is allowing pedestrians to cross the street.
- When approaching a school bus with its lights flashing and its stop sign extended, drivers in both lanes of traffic must come to a complete stop until the bus driver has turned off the lights and retracted the stop sign.
- When a vehicle is traveling at 30 km/h, it takes 18 meters (59 feet) to come to a complete stop. If you are traveling at 50 km/h, it takes 37 meters (121 feet) to stop. That’s a big difference!
Parents:
- Try to avoid dropping your child off for school on the opposite side of the street from their school. If this is unavoidable, make sure your child knows how to cross the street safely at the nearest designated crosswalk.
- Avoid double-parking by stopping or unloading in designated parking/drop-off zones only.
- Learn the traffic patterns at your child’s school and obey the directions of crossing guards.
- Be patient and courteous to other drivers and students.
- Ensure you know the regulations around e-bike and e-scooter usage in Prince George before sending your child to school on one. These can be found at the link below.
Students:
- Make sure to review your route to school with your grown-up at home. Know where to cross the street and where your bus stop is if you are riding the bus.
- Don’t forget to look both ways before crossing the street. Remember: stop, look and listen for cars!
- If you are riding your bike or scooter, make sure you know the rules of the road and are travelling single file as close to the right side of the street as possible. Make sure your helmet is on and fits you properly.
“Back to school safety is the responsibility of everyone on the road, but drivers must remember this is a very exciting time for students. Their eagerness to get to school may block out their concern for safety. It is up to drivers on the road to make sure they are paying extra attention in and around school zones: put down your phone, turn down the music and focus on what is around you,” said Corporal Jennifer Cooper, Media Relations Officer for Prince George RCMP.